Image processing system for preventing forgery

ABSTRACT

Conventionally, it is impossible to securely and efficiently implement the judgment of specific images. In order to solve this task, an image processing apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in including an input unit (in these embodiments, this corresponds to, for example, the interface unit in FIG.  1 ) for inputting color image data, an judging unit (this corresponds to, or example, the forgery judging unit in FIG.  1 ) for judging whether the judgment of whether a color image composed of the color image data is a specific image has been already performed, and an image judging unit (this corresponds to, for example, the forgery judging unit in FIG.  1 ) for judging whether the color image include the specific image if the judgment has not been performed yet.

This application is a divisional of application Ser. No. 09/628,023filed Jul. 28, 2000.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an image processing system, an imageprocessing method, an image processing apparatus, and a storage mediumfor preventing forgery.

2. Related Background Art

Recently, performance of color image readers using each CCD or the like(hereinafter, color scanners) and color printers has been increased.Therefore, probabilities of making originals, which are copy-inhibitedobjects, copied and forged have increased by reading the originals,which are copy-inhibited objects, such as bank bills and securities withcolor scanners as image data, and outputting the image data to colorprinters.

In order to prevent such forgery, color-copying machines having aconfiguration in which a color scanner and a color printer are combinedand having each forgery-preventing device that recognizes acopy-inhibited original and inhibits copying have increased.

Nevertheless, equipment having each forgery-preventing device is hardlypresent in spite of each function being provided, the function which isequivalent to a color copy machine by providing a personal computer(hereinafter, a PC) as an intermediary in case a color scanner and aprinter is not unified.

On the other hand, since there are also plenty of originals that arecopy-inhibited objects, there is a problem that load necessary forjudging whether an original is a copy-inhibited object is large andprocessing speed becomes low. In particular, this problem becomesfurther severe in case a forgery-preventing function is realized withsoftware processing using a program such as a scanner driver or aprinter driver.

In order to judge these plenty of copied originals, plenty of time isnecessary for repeatedly performing complicated processing andperforming judgment processing. Therefore, there is a disadvantage that,for example, if a plurality of originals is copied into a plurality ofcopies, the performance for copying is remarkably dropped.

In addition, if judgment-processing time is shortened so as to increasethe performance, kinds of copy-inhibited originals judgment of which canbe performed are limited, and further misjudgment also increases.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and anobject of the present invention is to efficiently perform the judgmentof a specific image (copy-inhibited image) in a color input/outputimage.

Another object of the present invention is to relieve the burden that iscaused by judgment processing of a specific original and to securelyprevent forgery.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a newfunction.

Other objects of the present invention will become more apparent withreference to the following embodiments and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image processing apparatus according toa first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing the operation of a scanner unit in case acopy start switch is turned on;

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the operation of a printer unit 100;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the operation of a printer unit 100 in asecond embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a third embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an image processing systemaccording to a fourth embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing internal blocks of a scanner;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing internal blocks of an image datacontroller;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing internal blocks of the printer;

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the operation of a scanner;

FIG. 11 shows an alarm display screen;

FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing the operation of the printer;

FIG. 13 shows an alarm display screen;

FIG. 14 is a flow chart showing dispersed-image-comparison operation ina scanner and a printer;

FIG. 15 shows an example of specific images;

FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing the operation of two-step imagecomparison;

FIG. 17 is a block diagram in a seventh embodiment;

FIG. 18 is a block diagram of an image data controller in the seventhembodiment;

FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an imageinput/output processing apparatus according to an eighth embodiment;

FIG. 20A is a flow chart of a processing program executed in a CPU ofthe image input/output processing apparatus according to the eighthembodiment;

FIG. 20B is a flow chart of a processing program executed in a CPU ofthe image input/output processing apparatus according to a modifiedexample of the eighth embodiment;

FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a judgingcircuit in the image input/output processing apparatus;

FIG. 22 is a flow chart of a processing program executed in a CPU in animage input/output processing apparatus according to a ninth embodiment;

FIG. 23 is a flow chart of a processing program executed in a CPU in animage input/output processing apparatus according to a tenth embodiment;

FIG. 24 is a flow chart of a processing program in case of erasing orcorrecting an input image that is judged to be a specific image;

FIG. 25A is a flow chart of a processing program executed in a CPU in animage input/output processing apparatus according to a modified exampleof the eighth embodiment;

FIG. 25B is a flow chart of a processing program executed in a CPU in animage input/output processing apparatus according to a modified exampleof the eighth embodiment;

FIG. 26 is a flow chart of a processing program executed in a CPU in animage input/output processing apparatus according to an example of thetenth embodiment;

FIG. 27 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a colorcopying machine in an eleventh embodiment; and

FIG. 28 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an informationprocessing apparatus in a twelfth embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, preferable embodiments according to the present inventionwill be described in detail with reference to drawings accompanied.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image processing apparatus according toa first embodiment. In FIG. 1, a scanner unit 10 and a printer unit 100are connected to each other through an interface unit. Interfaces areCentronics, RS-232C, USB, IEEE1394, and Ethernet interfaces, and thereis no limitation on forms of interfaces.

An image reading unit 11 in the scanner unit 10 optically reads anoriginal set in the scanner unit 10 and outputs three colors, that is,R, G, and B of color image data. Image memory 12 stores the color imagedata outputted from the image reading unit, and a forgery judging unit13 is connected to the image memory 12. An image processing unit 14 isconnected to the image memory 12, an interface unit 15 is connected tothe forgery judging unit 13 and image processing unit 14, and data issent from the scanner unit 10 to the printer unit 100 through theinterface unit 15. In the printer unit 100, an interface unit 111receives the data sent from the scanner unit 10, image memory 112 isconnected to the interface unit 111, and a forgery judging unit 113 isconnected to the interface unit 111 and image memory 112. A dataprocessing unit 114 is connected to the image memory 112 and forgeryjudging unit 113, a printing unit 115 is connected to the dataprocessing unit 114, and a color image is formed and outputted onrecording paper in the printing unit 115. In addition, since the forgeryjudging units 13 and 113 adopt judging methods, which are different fromeach other, such as pattern matching, and color matching, it is possibleto judge bank bills and securities such as traveler's checks.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are flow charts showing the operation of the scanner unit10 and printer unit 100 in case a copy start switch in this apparatus isturned on. If the copy start switch is turned on, the image reading unit11 in the scanner unit 10 scans an image of an original set on apredetermined original table. Furthermore, the image reading unit 11converts the image of the original into R, G, and B image data signalsthrough an optical system and photoelectric conversion devices, andwrites and stores the image data, which is converted, into the imagememory 12 (step S1). In addition, the image memory 12 is page memoryhaving data storage capacity corresponding to a page of original image.

Next, the forgery judging unit 13 refers to the image data stored in theimage memory 12, and collates the image data with each image pattern ofspecific originals that are prepared beforehand (step S2). Next, it isjudged whether a pattern of image data stored in the image memory 12coincides with one of the image patterns of the specific originals (stepS3). If both patterns coincide with each other at the step S3, the flowgoes to step S4, and a signal showing the coincidence of the originalimage, which is read in the image reading unit, with the pattern of thespecific original is outputted from the interface unit 15 to the printerunit 100.

If both patterns do not coincide with each other at the step S3, theflow goes to step S5, and a signal showing a mismatch is outputted fromthe interface unit 15 to the printer unit. Next, the image data storedin the image memory 12 is inputted to the image processing unit 14. Theimage processing unit 14 converts the image data signal, which isinputted, into four colors, that is, yellow, cyan, magenta, and black ofimage intensity signals (image density signals), and outputs the signalsto the interface unit 15. The interface unit 15 outputs the imageintensity signals inputted to the printer unit 100 (step S6). Asdescribed above, the scanner unit 10 outputs the original imageintensity signals through the interface unit only if the pattern of theimage data read from the original image does not coincide with the imagepattern of the specific original.

Next, the operation of the printer unit 100 will be described withreference to FIG. 3.

The data signal is inputted from the interface unit 111 connected to theinterface unit 15 in the scanner unit 10 to the printer unit 100 (stepS11). The image data in the date signal inputted from the interface unit111 is inputted to the image memory 112, and is stored in the imagememory 12 (step S12).

Subsequently, the detected signal of coincidence or mismatch with thespecific pattern that is outputted from the scanner unit 10 is inputtedto the forgery judging unit 113, and first, it is judged whether thedetected signal of mismatch (hereinafter, a mismatch signal) with thespecific pattern is inputted (step S13).

If the mismatch signal is inputted, the image intensity signals readfrom the image memory 12 are inputted to the data processing unit 114.The data processing unit 115 converts the signals, which are inputted,into print data, the print data converted is outputted to the printingunit 115, and printing operation is started (step S18).

If it is judged at the step S13 that the mismatch signal is notinputted, the flow goes to step S14, and it is judged whether thedetected signal of coincidence (hereinafter, a coincidence signal) isinputted. If it is judged that the coincidence signal is inputted,printing operation is stopped (step S17). If it is judged at the stepS14 that the coincidence signal is not inputted, the forgery judgingunit 113 refers to the image intensity data stored in the image memory112, and collates and compares the image intensity data with each imagepattern of the specific originals prepared beforehand (step S15).

Next, a result of the collation by the forgery judging unit 113 isjudged at step S16, and if it is judged that both coincide with eachother, printing operation is stopped (step S17). If it is judged thatboth do not coincide with each other, the flow goes to step S18, and theprint data processed by the data processing unit 115 is outputted to theprinting unit for printing operation to be started.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, by sending theresult of the forgery judgment by the forgery judging unit in thescanner unit 10 to the printer unit 100, the printer unit 100 refers tothe result of the forgery judgment inputted from the scanner unit tocontrol whether the input image data is printed.

In addition, if the forgery judgment is not performed in the scannerunit, the flow goes from the step S14 to the step S15. In theabove-described embodiment, such an example that the scanner unit hasthe forgery judging unit 13 is explained, and hence the flow never goesto the step S15. Nevertheless, only if a scanner unit not having aforgery judging unit in prior art is connected to the printer unit inthis embodiment, the flow goes to the step S15. The step S15 showsforgery judgment processing performed in the printer unit. The printerunit is controlled so that the forgery judgment in the printer unit isperformed only when both of the coincidence signal and mismatch signalthat are the results of the forgery judgment are not inputted.

Therefore, if the result of the forgery judgment performed in thescanner unit is inputted to the printer unit, it is possible to increasethroughput by immediately starting printing operation without performingthe forgery judgment in the printer unit. Therefore, it becomes possibleto increase throughput.

In the above-described embodiment, such an example that, in the imageprocessing unit 14 of the scanner unit 10, the image data signalinputted is converted into four colors, that is, yellow, cyan, magenta,and black of image intensity signals is shown. In addition, the R, G,and B image signals are inputted to the forgery judging unit 13 of thescanner unit 10, and the yellow, cyan, magenta, and black imageintensity signals are inputted to the forgery judging unit 113 of theprinter unit 100. Nevertheless, the image data signal can be outputtedfrom the interface unit 15 of the scanner unit 10 to the interface unit111 of the printer unit 100 as R, G, and B signals without beingconverted into four colors, that is, yellow, cyan, magenta, and black ofimage intensity signals in the image processing unit 14 of the scannerunit 10.

In this case, the R, G, and B signals are inputted to the forgeryjudging unit 113 of the printer unit 100, and are converted into fourcolors, that is, yellow, cyan, magenta, and black of image intensitysignals in the data processing unit 114 of the printer unit 100.

In addition, although the image memory of the scanner unit 10 is pagememory in the above-described embodiment, it is not always necessary tobe the page memory so long as there is memory capacity necessary forperforming the comparison and collation with each image pattern of thespecific originals that is used in the forgery judging unit 13.

Second Embodiment

Next, a second embodiment will be described. The second embodiment issuch an example that the operation flow of the printer unit 100 in thefirst embodiment is modified, and this is shown in FIG. 4.

In FIG. 4, the printer unit 100 inputs a data signal, outputted from ascanner unit, from the interface unit 111 (step S11). Next, it is judgedat step S13 whether a mismatch signal is present in the data signalinputted from the interface unit. If the mismatch signal is present, theflow goes to step S12, input image data is written in the image memory112, and printing operation is started (step S18).

In addition, writing of the input image data in the image memory 112that is performed at the step S12 is controlled so that, just afterwriting with volume required in the data processing unit 114 andprinting unit 115 that are subsequent stages is completed, the flow goesto step S18, data is read from the image memory 112, and printingoperation is started. In this case, the image memory 112 is used as dataprocessing buffer memory of the data processing unit 114 and printingunit 115.

If the mismatch signal is not present at the step S13, the flow goes tostep S14, and it is judged whether a coincidence signal is present. Ifthe coincidence signal is present, the flow goes to step S17, andprinting operation is stopped. If the coincidence signal is not present,the flow goes to step S19. Such a case that the flow goes to step S19shows a case of forgery judgment being not performed in the scannerunit. At the step S19, a page of input image data is written in theimage memory 112.

Next, the forgery judging unit 113 performs comparison and collationwith each specific pattern at step S15 to judge at the step S16 whetherthe image data coincides with each specific pattern. If not coinciding,printing operation is started at the step S18, and if coinciding,printing operation is stopped at the step S17. In addition, if theprinting operation is stopped at the step S17, error display showingthat the data signal is not suitable for printing operation can beperformed.

As described above, if a result signal of the forgery judgment in ascanner unit is inputted to a printer unit, it is controlled with theresult signal of the forgery judgment in the scanner unit whether inputdata is printed. Furthermore, if the result of the forgery judgment isnot inputted, the printer unit performs the forgery judgment. Theoperation is controlled so that the data signal is printed only if theprinter unit judges that the image data does not coincide with aspecific pattern.

As described above, by controlling the printing operation in the printerunit on the basis of the result of the forgery judgment performed in thescanner unit and controlling the printing operation on the basis of theresult of the forgery judgment performed in the printer unit only if theforgery judgment processing is not performed in the scanner unit, itbecomes possible to perform secure forgery judgment processing.Furthermore, duplicated forgery judgment processing is never performedin the scanner unit and printer unit, and hence it is possible toincrease the throughput of printing operation.

Third Embodiment

Next, a third embodiment will be described. In the third embodiment, ascanner unit and a printer unit are connected via a network, which isdifferent from the first and second embodiments where the scanner unitand printer unit are connected in one-to-one relation.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the third embodiment. In FIG. 5, a scannerunit-A 10, and a printer unit 100 have respectively the same functionsas those of the scanner unit 10 and printer unit 100 that are describedin the first embodiment. Therefore, the same reference numerals areassigned to the blocks having the same functions.

This embodiment is configured so that devices connected to a networkcable 40 in FIG. 5 input and output each data signal between respectivedevices via the network cable 40. A scanner unit-B 20 in FIG. 5 is ascanner not having a forgery judging unit, and other components are thesame as those of a scanner unit-A 10. In addition, a computer 30 in FIG.5 is connected to the network 40.

Hereinafter, the operation of the third embodiment will be described.

As for the operation in the case of outputting an original image, readin the scanner unit-A 10, from the printer unit 100, as described in theabove-described first and second embodiments, by judging a result offorgery judgment, performed in the scanner unit-A, in the printer unit100, an image data signal is immediately printed and printing operationis stopped without performing duplicated forgery judgment processing inthe printer unit 100.

In addition, in case the original image data read in the scanner unit-Bnot having the forgery judging unit is printed in the printer unit 100,forgery judgment processing in the printer unit 100 judges whether aninput image data coincides with a specific image pattern. The inputimage data is printed only if not coinciding with the specific imagepattern, and printing operation is stopped if coinciding. Therefore, itis possible not only to perform secure forgery judgment processing, butalso to increase the throughput of printing operation without performingduplicated forgery judgment processing.

Next, the operation in the case of the computer 30 bringing in a signal,read from an original image, from the scanner unit-A and scanner unit-B20 will be described.

The computer 30 sends a scanner operation instruction to the scannerunit-A 10 from the interface unit 35 connected to the network 40. Thescanner unit-A 10 starts operation according to the flow shown in FIG.2, described above, in accordance with the scanner operation instructioninputted from the interface unit 15. An image reading unit 11 in thescanner 10 scans an original image set on a predetermined originaltable, converts the original image into an image data signal through anoptical system and a photoelectric conversion element, and writes imagedata, which is converted, in the image memory 12 to store it (step S1).The forgery judging unit 13 performs comparison and collation with thespecific image pattern (step S2). If the original image data does notcoincide with the specific image pattern, the interface unit 15 sends amismatch signal (step S5), and sends the original image data (step S6).

The mismatch signal and image data that are sent from the interface unit15 is not only inputted to RAM 33 in the computer 30 but also stored ina hard disk drive (HDD) 34. If the forgery judging unit 13 in thescanner unit-10 detects coincidence with the specific image pattern, theinterface unit 15 sends a coincidence signal (step S4), and theinterface unit 35 in the computer 30 takes in the coincidence signal,which is stored in the RAM of the computer 30.

In addition, if scanning operation is performed as the operation of thescanner unit 10 by an instruction from the computer 30, the scanner unit10 sends the coincidence signal at the step S4, the flow is branched atstep S6, and the scanner unit 10 sends the image data from the interfaceunit 15. Therefore, at the step S6, the image data outputted from theinterface unit of the scanner unit 10 is inputted to the RAM 33 in thecomputer 30 through the interface unit 35 in the computer 30, andthereafter, is stored in the hard disk drive (HDD) 34. In addition, thehard disk drive in the computer 30 stores the image data outputted fromthe scanner unit 10, and the coincidence or mismatch signal that showscoincidence or mismatch with the specific image pattern respectively andcorresponds to this image data.

Next, the operation in the case where the computer 30 sends a scanneroperation instruction to the scanner unit-B 20 not having a forgeryjudging unit connected to the network 40, and takes in the image data ofan origin set on an original table of the scanner unit-B to the computer30 will be described. The scanner unit-B inputs the scanner operationinstruction, sent from the interface unit 35 in the computer 30, fromthe interface unit 15. The original reading unit 11 in the scannerunit-B scans an original image set on a predetermined original table,and the scanner unit-B converts the original image into an image datasignal through an optical system and a photoelectric conversion element.Furthermore, the scanner unit-B writes image data, which is converted,in the image memory 12, performs predetermined image processing in theimage processing unit, and thereafter, outputs the original image data,which is read, from the interface unit 15.

The original image data outputted is not only taken in by the RAM 33 inthe computer 30 through the interface unit 35 but also stored in thehard disk drive 34.

As described above, by the instruction from the computer 30, a scannerconnected to a network scans an original image on an original table, andsends an original image signal, obtained by scanning the original image,to the computer 30. The computer 30 stores the original image signal,sent by the scanner that is made to scan the original image by thecomputer 30, in the hard disk drive (HDD) 34 in the computer.Furthermore, when the original image data is stored in the hard diskdrive 34 in the computer, if the specific image pattern and thecoincidence or mismatch signal are sent from the scanner, the computer30 stores them in the hard disk drive 34 with making them correspond tothe original image data.

Next, the operation at the time when a data signal stored in the harddisk drive 34 is printed by the computer 30 will be described. Thecomputer 30 reads the data signal, which will be printed, from the harddisk drive 34, and sends the data signal to the interface unit 111 inthe printer unit 100 through the interface unit 35 and network 40.Before sending the data signal to be printed, the computer 30 sends theresult signal of the forgery judgment that corresponds to the image datathat is printed and is stored in the hard disk drive, if the resultsignal is present. In addition, the operation of the printer unit 100follows the flow shown in FIG. 4 described above.

The printer unit first inputs data from the interface unit 111 (stepS11), and judges whether the mismatch signal is present (step S13). Ifthe mismatch signal is present, the printer unit writes the image data,which are subsequently inputted, in the image memory 112 (step S12), andstarts printing operation. If not, it is judged whether the coincidencesignal is present (step S14). If being present, the printer unit stopsthe printing operation (step S17).

If the coincidence signal is also not detected at the step S14, theprinter unit 100 writes the input image data in the image memory 112(step S19). Furthermore, the forgery judging unit 113 compares andcollates the image data with the specific image pattern (step S15). Ifcoincidence with the specific image pattern is detected, the printerunit 100 stops the printing operation (step S17), and if not, theprinter unit 100 starts the printing operation (step S18).

In addition, when the printing operation is stopped at the step S17, itis also good enough to send a comment signal, denoting that the imagedata is not suitable to printing operation, from the interface unit 111to the interface unit 35 in the computer 30, and to display a warningmessage on a CRT in the computer 30.

As described above, if there is result data of forgery judgmentcorresponding to image data when the computer 30 prints the image data,by sending the result data of forgery judgment to a printer unit beforesending the image data to be printed, it becomes possible that theprinter unit immediately starts or stops printing operation withoutperforming duplicated forgery judgment processing.

Furthermore, by performing forgery judgment processing in the printerunit if the result data of forgery judgment that corresponds to theimage data is not sent, it becomes possible to limit the printingoperation of the image data, which is not suitable to printingoperation, such as securities and bank bills.

In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the printer unit iscontrolled so as to stop printing operation if it is detected from theresult of judgment, performed by the forgery judging unit, that theimage data coincides with the specific image pattern. Nevertheless, itis also good enough to fill in a print image output with a specificcolor (black, yellow, magenta, cyan, or the like) without stopping theprinting operation.

In the above description, the forgery judging units in the scanner unitand printer unit judge whether the image data coincides with thespecific image pattern and discriminate the image data from the imagedata of securities, bank bills, or the like. Nevertheless, judging meansof the forgery judging units is not limited to this, but it is also goodenough to control copying by detecting digital water mark informationembedded in the image data, or a specific frequency component.

Furthermore, if the scanner unit scans an original on an original tableaccording to a scanner operation instruction by a computer and judges byforgery judgment processing in the scanner unit that the original set onthe original table is a security or a bank bill, it is also good enoughto display an warning message, which means to bring in image dataobtained by scanning the original whose copying is inhibited, on a CRTin the computer 30 by using a signal of coincidence with the specificimage pattern inputted in the computer.

Moreover, although image data is obtained by a scanner in theabove-described embodiment, it is apparent that it is also good enoughto obtain image data from a digital camera, memory for a digital camera(compact flash memory, a smart card, and a memory stick), and an imageserver.

As described above, it is possible to prevent duplicated judgment ofcolor image data that has been already judged on specific images.Furthermore, it is also possible to securely judge color image datahaving been not judged yet. In consequence, it becomes possible toefficiently perform the judgment on the specific image.

In addition, if a plurality of image processing apparatuses have aplurality of specific image judging units, any one of the plurality ofspecific image judging units judges color image data, and thereafter,the other plurality of specific image judging units do not judge thecolor image data. Therefore, it is possible to increase processingspeed, and hence it is possible to increase performance.

Furthermore, the present invention is an image processing method ofreceiving color image data from an image generating apparatus, having aforgery judging function, and an image generating apparatus not having aforgery judging function, judging whether a color image is a specificimage from the color image data received, and outputting the color imagedata for making an image forming unit form the color image by using thecolor image data received, the image processing method comprising thesteps of:

controlling the formation of the color image according to a result ofjudgment by the image generating apparatus having the forgery judgingfunction if the color image data is generated by the image generatingapparatus having the forgery judging function; and

controlling the formation of the color image according to a result ofjudgment of whether the color image obtained from the color image datareceived is the specific image if the color image data is generated bythe image generating apparatus not having the forgery judging function.Therefore, it is possible to preferably efficiently process the colorimage data received from any one of the image generating apparatus,having the forgery judging function, and the image generating apparatusnot having the forgery judging function.

Fourth Embodiment

FIG. 6 shows the configuration of an image processing system accordingto a fourth embodiment. An image data controller 600 performsinput/output control of image data and is implemented with a computer. Ascanner 601 reads an original, and converts the original into an imagesignal. Furthermore, a printer 602 prints the image signal converted.

Next, each internal configuration will be described with reference toeach block diagram.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the scanner. A CPU 701 controls the entirescanner 601. This CPU 14 701 controls an image signal processor, and anoptical system and a mechanism that are used for reading and are notshown. A CCD 702 converts the original into an electric signal. Imagecorrection processing performed by an image correcting circuit 703includes shading compensation for compensating the dispersion of lightdistribution among a central part and end parts, and color spacetransformation for transforming a CCD-specific color transformingcharacteristic into a standard color space. An image comparing circuit704 judges a coincidence degree between image data and specific imagedata, which are read. Memory 705 stores the specific image data, whichis described above, for image comparison. In addition, the specificimage data can be any data so long as the data is data for identifying aspecific image. For example, if a specific image has a specific pattern,the data is information of expressing the specific pattern, and if thespecific image has a digital water mark, the data is information ofexpressing the digital water mark. This digital water mark is technologyof adding information to a specific frequency in an image, and is asuitable method for adding information so as not to be seen by anoutsider. An image network interface 706 transfers data to the imagedata controller 600.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the image data controller 600. A CPU 801 inthe image data controller 600 performs the input/output control of datawith the scanner and printer. A data bus 802 is a data bus of the CPU,and a card bus controller 804, ROM 7 805, and a hard disk controller807, which are described later, are connected to the data bus 802. Thecard bus controller 804 controls a card bus 803 for inserting afunctional board for adding a function to the image data controller 600.The ROM 805 is program memory where control software for the image datacontroller 600 is stored. The RAM 806 is configured by DRAM or SRAM, isused as a work area for usual programs, and can be also used as imagedata memory. The hard disk controller 807 performs the read/writecontrol of a hard disk drive 812. The hard disk drive 812 is used forstoring image data and program software, and, the hard disk controller807 compresses data when this is used for storing image data, and thecontroller 807 also expands the data when used for reading image data.

Next, each functional board connected to the card bus 803 will bedescribed. A network interface card 808 is an interface for a networkthat is not shown. This is such configuration that a card correspondingto a physical interface constituting a network such as an Ethernetnetwork and a token-ring network can be installed. An image data networkinterface card 809 is a network interface transferring image data withthe scanner, printer, and the image data controller which are shown inFIG. 6. It is necessary to configure this image network with ahigh-speed bus, where a large volume of image data can be transferred,such as IEEE 1394 and USB. Next, a display 811 is connected to a displaycontroller 810. A keyboard 814 is connected to a keyboard controller813. In this image processing system, a user instructs the reading of anoriginal or printing operation by using a device such as the keyboard814 and a mouse, which is not shown, with watching the display 811.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of the printer. A CPU 901 controls the entireprinter such as mechatronics control of the printer, and reception ofbit map data. Memory 902 stores programs for the CPU 901, RAM 903 and aCPU address and data bus 904 are used by the CPU 901, and an IEEE 1394link controller 905 interfaces with the image network 101. Furthermore,an IEEE 1394 connector 907 is connected to an IEEE 1394 physicalinterface 906, and first-in-first-out memory (hereinafter, FIFO) 908temporarily stores bit map data transferred by isochronous transfer.Moreover, a video data controller 909 controls reading of bit map datafrom the FIFO 908 with synchronizing the reading with the operationtiming of a printer engine 912. A laser driver 910 is used for printingoperation, an engine controller 911 performs mechatronics control suchas motor control of the printer engine 912, and paper supply control.

In addition, an image comparing circuit 913 judges a coincidence degreebetween the image data, inputted in the printer, and the specific imagedata. Memory 914 stores the specific image data for comparing images. Inaddition, it is apparent that the IEEE 1394 physical interface 906 isnot limited to IEEE 1394, but other standard interfaces such as USB(Universal Serial Bus) interface can be used as the physical interface906.

Next, the operation of the scanner will be described with reference to aflow chart shown in FIG. 10.

An operator sets an original on the scanner 601, and instructs thereading of the original from the image data controller 600. If a readinstruction is issued at step S1001, the flow goes to step S1002, andthe scanner 601 reads the original. The image correcting circuit 703performs the predetermined image processing of image data read by theCCD 702, and the flow goes to step S1003, where the image comparingcircuit 704 compares the image data with the specific image. If it isjudged at step S1004 that the coincidence degree is larger than apredetermined value, the flow goes to step S1006. Then, the scanner 601sends a signal, denoting that the original under reading is aread-inhibited image, to the image data controller 600. The image datacontroller 600 receiving this signal displays a warning, shown in FIG.11, on the display 811. On the other hand, if the coincidence degreedoes not exceed the predetermined value at the step S1004, the scanner601 transfers the image data, which is read, to the image datacontroller 600 (step S1005).

The above is the operation of the image comparing circuit 704 in thescanner 601.

Next, the operation of the printer 602 will be described with referenceto a flow chart shown in FIG. 12.

If an operator instructs printing operation to the image data controller600 at step S1201, the flow goes to step S1202.

Image data is transferred from the image data controller 600 to theprinter 602 through the image data network. Then, the printer 602receiving the image data temporarily stores the image data in the RAM903 through the image data network. Furthermore, image comparison withthe specific image is performed at step S1203. If it is judged that thecoincidence degree is larger than the predetermined value at step S1204,the flow goes to step S1206. The printer informs the image datacontroller of the fact that the image data that the printer 602 isinstructed to print is a print-inhibited image. The image datacontroller receiving this information displays a warning, shown in FIG.13, on the display 811. On the other hand, if the coincidence degreedoes not exceed the predetermined value at the step S1204, the printerperforms printing operation (step S1205).

Next, a case that data in specific image memory for comparing images inthe scanner is different from data in specific image memory of theprinter will be described with reference to a flow chart shown in FIG.14. It is assumed that specific image memory of the scanner and printerstores beforehand image data (pattern information or digital water markinformation corresponding to the image data) shown in FIG. 15respectively.

For example, the scanner stores an image of a Japanese Yen bank bill asa first specific image, and an image of a USA dollar bank bill as asecond specific image, and the printer 602 stores an image of Germanybank bill as a third specific image, and an image of an English poundbank bill as a fourth specific image.

An operator sets an original on the scanner 601, and instructs thereading of the original from the image data controller 600. If a readinstruction is issued at step S1401, the flow goes to step S1402, andthe scanner 601 instructs the start of reading. The image correctingcircuit 703 performs the predetermined image processing of image dataread by the CCD 702, and the flow goes to step S1403, where the imagecomparing circuit 704 compares the image data with the first and secondspecific images. If it is judged at step S1404 that the coincidencedegree with the first specific image is larger than a predeterminedvalue, the flow goes to step S1405, where a first specific imagecoincidence flag is set and the flow goes to step S1406. If it is judgedat the step S1404 that the coincidence degree with the first specificimage is not larger than the predetermined value, the flow goes to stepS1406 as it is. If it is judged at step S1406 that the coincidencedegree with the second specific image is larger than a predeterminedvalue, the flow goes to step S1407, where a second specific imagecoincidence flag is set and the flow goes to step S1408. If it is judgedat the step S1406 that the coincidence degree with the second specificimage is not larger than the predetermined value, the flow goes to stepS1408 as it is. At the step S1408, the scanner 601 transfers thecoincidence flag, which is a result of image comparison, and image datato the image data controller 600.

At step S1409, the image data controller 600 verifies the coincidenceflag transferred, and if the flag is set, the flow goes to step S1410and the image data controller 600 gives the operator a warning shown inFIG. 11. In this case, the image data transferred at the step S1408 iserased or broken lest the image data should be used.

Next, if the operator issues a print instruct at step S1420, the imagedata controller 600 transfers the image data, which does not coincidewith the first and second specific images, to the printer. The imagecomparing circuit 704 performs image comparison with the third andfourth specific images at step S1411. If it is judged at step S1412 thatthe coincidence degree with the third specific image is larger than thepredetermined value, the flow goes to step S1413, where a third specificimage coincidence flag is set and the flow goes to step S1414. If it isjudged at the step S1412 that the coincidence degree with the thirdspecific image is not larger than the predetermined value, the flow goesto step S1414 as it is. If it is judged at the step S1414 that thecoincidence degree with the fourth specific image is larger than apredetermined value, the flow goes to step S1415, where a fourthspecific image coincidence flag is set and the flow goes to step S1416.If it is judged at the step S1414 that the coincidence degree with thefourth specific image is not larger than the predetermined value, theflow goes to step S1416 as it is. At the step S1416, the printer 602transfers the coincidence flag, which is a result of image comparison,to the image data controller 600.

At step S1417, the image data controller verifies the coincidence flagtransferred, and if the coincidence flag is set, the flow goes to stepS1418, and the image data controller gives the operator an warning shownin FIG. 13.

If the coincidence flag is not set, the image data controller 600 issuesan image data print instruction to the printer 602.

The above is the operation in the case that image comparison withdifferent specific images in the scanner and printer is performed.

In the above-described embodiment, the different specific images arestored in a scanner and a printer beforehand respectively. Nevertheless,duplicated comparison is not performed by controlling image comparisonlest the image comparison with the same specific image should beperformed through providing a coincidence flag even if the same specificimage is stored in the scanner and printer. Therefore, processing timeis shortened.

Fifth Embodiment

Next, an embodiment that, in case of performing image comparison withthe specific images, a scanner roughly performs simple comparison and aprinter performs detailed comparison only when its result is doubtful inview of its coincidence degree will be described with reference to FIG.16.

If the operator issues a scanner operation instruction at step S1601,the flow goes to step S1602. At the step S1602, the scanner reads anoriginal. At step S1603, reading resolution is dropped, for example,from 400 dpi to 200 dpi. Then, the image comparing circuit 704 shown inFIG. 7 performs image comparison in short processing time. If it isjudged at step S1604 that the image data is doubtful, a flag is set. Ifnot, the flow goes to step S1606 as it is. At the step S1606, thescanner transfers the image data and flag information to the image datacontroller. At step S1607, the image data controller 600 transfers theimage data with instructing the printer to perform detailed imagecomparison at printing operation according to an operator's instructionwhen the flag is set (step S1608).

If the coincidence degree exceeds the predetermined value at step S1609,the warning shown in FIG. 7 is displayed (step S1610). On the otherhand, if the flag is not set at the step S1607 or the coincidence degreeafter detailed comparison does not exceed the predetermined value at thestep S1609, printing operation is performed at step S1611.

In the above description, it is unnecessary to execute forgery judgmentprocessing in a printer except a case that the image data is somewhatdoubtful by performing image comparison in a scanner and the printerthrough dividing the image comparison into two stages, that is, roughcomparison and detailed comparison. Therefore, a print output can beobtained without stress.

Sixth Embodiment

Although specific image memory is configured by ROM in the fourthembodiment, it becomes possible to flexibly perform image comparison bymaking such a system that specific image data is down-loaded from theimage data controller (computer) 100 by the specific image memory beingconfigured by RAM.

For example, it is possible to correspond to a newly designatedcopy-inhibited original by adding its specific image data from theexternal to the image data controller 600. In addition, even if any oneof the scanner and printer does not have an image comparing circuit, itis possible to check all the copy-inhibited originals by down-loadingdata, used for judgment of all the copy-inhibited originals, into anapparatus having the image comparing circuit. Furthermore, it ispossible to optimally distribute load by making the volume of data,which is down-loaded, variable according to the performance (throughputand resolution) of the scanner and printer.

Seventh Embodiment

Although, in the fourth to sixth embodiments, specific image judgment isperformed in the scanner 601 and printer 602, here, the followingexample will be described. Thus, the example is a case that it is judgedin a scanner driver of the image data controller (computer) 600 whetherimage data read by scan is equivalent to a specific image, and if anoperator issues a print instruction, the printer driver of the imagedata controller (computer) 600 for controlling the printer judges theimage data.

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of this embodiment. In addition, FIG. 18is a block diagram of the image data controller 1700.

A scanner 1701 and a printer 1702 that are shown in FIG. 17 areconnected to the image data controller 1700. A scanner driver and aprinter driver stored in a hard disk drive 1812 of the image datacontroller 1700 are activated on an OS in the image data controller1700, and execute the following processing by calculation executed by aCPU 1801.

In the image data controller shown in FIG. 18, the scanner driver andprinter driver, which are used at the time of image reading and imageprinting by the scanner 1701 and a printer 1702 respectively, are storedin the hard disk drive 1812. According to an operator's instructionthrough a keyboard 814 or a mouse not shown, the scanner driver andprinter driver perform the reading of an image and the control ofgenerating an image data file by the scanner, and the control ofprinting the image data file by the printer. In addition, thedescription of components having the same reference numerals as those inFIG. 8 will be omitted.

When a color image is scanned by the scanner 1701, an operator activatesa scanner driver, which is software for controlling the scanner 1701,from the keyboard or mouse in the image data controller 1700.

The operator performs a scan instruction by operating this scannerdriver. According to this instruction, a read control signal isoutputted to the scanner 1701, and color image data corresponding to animage is outputted to the image data controller 1700.

The scanner driver judges whether the color image data received from thescanner 1702 is equivalent to a specific image (a bank bill, a security,or the like).

In this judgment, characteristic data of specific images that are storedin the hard disk drive 1812 beforehand for judgment in the scannerdriver is called in the RAM 806. Furthermore, by the scanner drivercomparing this characteristic data with color image data by using thisdata, judgment is performed.

If the scanner driver judges from a result of this judgment that thecolor image data is equivalent to a specific image, the scanner driverdisplays the warning shown in FIG. 11.

On the other hand, if the scanner driver judges that the color imagedata is not equivalent to the specific image, the scanner drivercompresses the color image data into a JPEG image file or the like.Furthermore, the scanner driver makes the file stored in the hard diskdrive 1812 of the image data controller. In addition, the scanner driveradds information of a kind (for example, a Japanese ten thousand yennote, a five thousand yen note, a one thousand yen note, and traveler'schecks) of the specific image, which has been already judged, to theimage file. This information showing the kind of the specific image isprotected so that the information cannot be rewritten or the image fileitself cannot be opened if the information is rewritten.

Next, the processing of specific image judgment by the printer driverwill be described.

In addition, the printer driver also executes the following processingby the calculation executed by the CPU 1801 in the image data controller1700.

An operator inputs a print instruction of an image, which is stored in afile and is desired to be printed, through the keyboard or mouse.

The printer driver is activated in the image data controller 1700 bythis print instruction.

The printer driver refers to the information of the kind of the specificimage that has been already judged, the information, which is added.Using judgment data for the printer driver that relates to kinds ofspecific images, which have not been judged yet, and is stored in thehard disk drive 1812, the printer driver checks whether the image to beprinted is one of the specific images.

Thus, if there is the data of specific images for judgment that have notbeen judged yet, the printer driver judges whether the color image datacoincides to one of the specific images, using this data. In addition,it is needless to say that, in this judgment also, the characteristicdata (colors, patterns, digital water marks, combination of thesecharacters, or the like) of specific images are used.

Furthermore, if it is judged that the color image data coincides to oneof the specific images, the printer driver makes a display of the imagedata controller display the warning shown in FIG. 13. On the other hand,if the judgment of all the specific images that the printer driver canjudge has been already performed, judgment processing is skipped.Obviously, it is conceivable that a scanner does not have a specificimage judging function. As for an image file obtained from such ascanner, it is obvious from the information added to the image file thatno judgment has been performed. Therefore, the printer driver judgescolor image data on all the specific originals that the printer drivercan judge.

In addition, if the printer driver recognizes from the information,added to the image file, that the scanner used for creating this imagefile does not have a specific image judging function, the printer driverdisplays a message, prompting the operator to install a new version ofscanner driver having the specific image judging function via Internet,on the display of the image data controller 1700 after print processing.

If information showing a scanner manufacturer is added to the imagefile, it is possible to provide an operation environment, which theoperator easily can use, for the operator by the following procedure.Thus, the procedure includes the steps of making the configuration ofreferring to address information every manufacturer, which the printerdriver manages, from this information, retrieving an IP address of themanufacturer, and displaying this IP address with this message.

By adopting the above configuration, it becomes possible to performspecific image judgment by using the scanner driver and printer driver.In addition, this embodiment adopts such configuration that onlyspecific images that the scanner driver has not judged are judged in theprinter driver. Therefore, it is possible to avoid waste of judging thesame specific image in both the scanner driver and printer driver. Inconsequence, it becomes possible to reduce total print (copy) time.

In addition, the information of a kind of a specific image, which hasbeen already judged, the information which is added to an image fileobtained by scan is protected so that the information cannot berewritten or the image file itself cannot be opened if the informationis rewritten. Therefore, it is possible to keep a high level ofsecurity.

Depending on a version of a scanner driver, it is conceivable that thescanner driver does not have a specific image judging function. As foran image file obtained from such a scanner, it is obvious from theinformation added to the image file that no judgment has been performed.Therefore, the printer driver can efficiently perform judgment.

In addition, if the printer driver recognizes from the information,added to the image file, that the scanner used for creating this imagefile does not have a specific image judging function, the printer driverdisplays a message, prompting the operator to install a new version ofscanner driver having the specific image judging function, and an IPaddress. Therefore, since the operator can easily install the scannerdriver having the specific image judging function, it becomes possibleto distribute processing between the printer driver and scanner driver.

In consequence, it becomes possible to distribute the time necessary forspecific image judgment between scan processing and print processing.Hence, it becomes rare to feel slow processing by sharing specific imageprocessing among scanning and printing which are performed in separatetiming although, in the case of performing judgment only in printing,usually, the operator feels as if print time considerably slowed.

Hereinabove, it becomes possible to perform specific image judgmentprocessing with distributing the processing between the first and secondapparatuses.

In addition, it becomes possible to efficiently perform the judgment ofspecific images different in the first and second apparatuses.

Furthermore, if it is judged that the original image is a specific imageby using an image signal with low resolution, judgment of specificimages is performed by using an image signal with high resolution.Therefore, it is possible to avoid waste of processing caused byjudgment using an image signal with unnecessarily high resolution.

An image that is not equivalent to a specific image as a result ofjudgment of specific images can be stored in an image file. In addition,since it is possible to perform judgment processing in consideration ofthe information of the specific image having been judged, efficientjudgment can be performed.

Moreover, since the information of the specific image having been judgedis protected, a high level of security of this information can berealized.

In addition, it becomes possible to easily provide a specific imagejudging function for an apparatus creating an image file.

Furthermore, it is possible not only to provide a storage medium storedan image having been judged on specific images, but also to provide astorage medium where the information of what specific images are usedfor judgment. Moreover, since this information can be protected, a highlevel of security can be realized.

Eighth Embodiment

Hereinafter, an eighth embodiment will be described with reference todrawings.

<Configuration and Operation of Image Input/Output Processing Apparatus>

Next, the configuration and a series of operation of an imageinput/output processing apparatus 1900 will be described with referenceto FIG. 19.

In the image input/output processing apparatus 1900, image data taken infrom a scanner circuit 1901, image data received by a facsimile circuit1903, or image data obtained by a PDL circuit 1904 is inputted.

The scanner circuit 1901 supplies image data read by scanning anoriginal to an input/output control circuit 1907. In addition, thefacsimile circuit 1903 can transfer image data, and supplies image data,which is received, to the input/output control circuit 1907.Furthermore, the PDL circuit 1904 develops PDL (Page DescriptionLanguage) data, which is generated in a host computer (simply called ahost) 1906 and transmitted via an interface circuit 1905, into a bit mapimage. Here, the interface circuit 1905 not only supplies the PDL datato the PDL circuit 1904 and transfers data with the input/output controlcircuit 1907, but also performs duplex communication of image data withthe host 1906.

In addition, the input/output control circuit 1907 stores image data,supplied from the scanner circuit 1901, facsimile circuit 1903, or PDLcircuit 1904, in a buffer memory circuit 1908 by controlling write andread operation of image data with the buffer memory circuit 1908, andwrite and read operation of image data with a storage device 1910through a compressing/expanding circuit 1909. Furthermore, theinput/output control circuit 1907 stores the image data in the storagedevice 1910, configured by an MO (Magneto-Optical disk) drive, a harddisk drive, or the like, through the compressing/expanding circuit 1909.Moreover, the input/output control circuit 1907 supplies the image data,which is supplied, to a judging circuit 1911.

The judging circuit 1911 judges whether image data from the input/outputcontrol circuit 1907 is equivalent to a specific image, and supplies aresult of the judgment to a system control circuit 1912.

The system control circuit 1912 is configured by a CPU or the like, andperforms the operation control of the entire image input/outputprocessing apparatus 1900 according to various settings, which relate tothe image input/output processing apparatus 100 and are performed by anMMI (Man-Machine Interface) circuit 1914 such as an operation unit orthe like, and a processing program stored beforehand in ROM 1913. Inparticular, the system control circuit 1912 controls the operation ofthe input/output control circuit 1907 according to the result of thejudgment by the judging circuit 1911.

The input/output control circuit 1907 supplies image data, which isstored in the storage device 1910 as described above, to a printerdevice 1902, printing the image data, through the compressing/expandingcircuit 1909 under the control of the system control circuit 1912.

The printer device 1902 prints the image data from the input/outputcontrol circuit 1907.

(Configuration of System Control Circuit 1912)

Next, the system control circuit 1912 described above will be concretelydescribed.

For example, a control program following a flow chart shown in FIG. 20Ais stored in the ROM 1913 beforehand. Furthermore, this control programis read and executed by the system control circuit 1912. Owing to this,the image input/output processing apparatus 1900 operates as follows. Inaddition, the control program shown in FIG. 20A is to realize a copyfunction, and this copy function is part of functions of the imageinput/output processing apparatus 1900.

When the control program that has the procedure shown in FIG. 20A and isstored in the ROM 1913 is read and executed by the system controlcircuit 1912, the system control circuit 1912 issues an image readinstruction to, for example, the scanner circuit 1901 through theinput/output control circuit 1907. Owing to this, the scanner circuit1901 reads an image on the original, which is not shown, as image datain a digital system (hereinafter, image data) (step S2001).

The image data read at the step S2001 by the scanner circuit 1901 isstored in the buffer memory circuit 1908 under the control of theinput/output control circuit 1907 (step S2002).

In addition, the image data read is also supplied to the judging circuit1911 under the control of the input/output control circuit 1907. Thejudging circuit 1911 judges from the presence of a digital water mark orthe collation of characteristics whether the image data given isequivalent to a specific image (step S2003).

If judging the image data from the presence of the digital water mark,the judging circuit 1911 judges whether the information of a specificdigital water mark inserted beforehand is present in the image datasupplied from the input/output control circuit 1907. If there is theinformation of the specific digital water mark in the image data given,the judging circuit 1911 judges that the image data is equivalent to thespecific image.

If judging the image data from the collation of characteristics, thejudging circuit 1911 extracts the characteristics of the image datasupplied. Then, the judging circuit 1911 compares the characteristicdata with characteristic data of specific images, which are heldbeforehand and are specific images such as securities and bank billsthat must not be originally copied, and judges a similarity degree. Ifthe similarity degree between the image data and a specific image isequal to or more than a predetermined value, the judging circuit 1911judges that the image data is equivalent to the specific image.

This judgment processing will be described later in detail. The resultof judgment by the judging circuit 1911 is supplied to the systemcontrol circuit 1912.

If the image data is not equivalent to a specific image from the resultof judgment by the judging circuit 1911, the system control circuit 1912instructs the input/output control circuit 1907 to store the image data,stored at the step S2003 in the buffer memory circuit 1908, in thestorage device 1910. Owing to this, the input/output control circuit1907 reads the image data from the buffer memory circuit 1908, andsupplies the image data to the compressing/expanding circuit 1909. Thecompressing/expanding circuit 1909 compresses the image data, suppliedfrom the input/output control circuit 1907, with a predeterminedcompression method (step S2004), and stored the image data in thestorage device 1910 (step S2005). In addition, if the judging circuit1911 judges that the image data is equivalent to a specific image, thesystem control circuit 1912 instructs the input/output control circuit1907 not to perform each processing at the above-described steps S2004and S2005. Owing to this, if it is judged that the image data isequivalent to a specific image, the image data stored in the buffermemory circuit 1908 is not stored in the storage device 1910.Furthermore, if the image data is equivalent to a specific image, thesystem control circuit 1912 stores the information, showing that theimage data is equivalent to the specific image and is not stored in thestorage device 1910, as additional information in the storage device1910 (step S2006). It is also good enough to store the information,showing that it is judged that the image data is not equivalent to thespecific image, as additional information in the storage device 1910 ifit is judged at the step S2006 that the image data is not equivalent tothe specific image. By using this additional information, it is possibleto easily recognize whether, for example, an input image is limited.Moreover, if the image data is not equivalent to the specific image, itis possible to judge from the additional information whether an imagehave been judged in regard to whether the image includes the specificimage, or whether the image has not been judged, even if plenty ofimages are stored as image data in the storage device 1910 by storing asthe additional information a fact that the image data is not equivalentto the specific image. In addition, it is good enough to makeinformation, showing a control method of the image data judged to beequivalent to the specific image, included in the additionalinformation. In this case, the image data is processed according to thecontrol method.

After the above-described judgment processing at the step S2003 isperformed and processing according to a result of the judgment areperformed, the system control circuit 1912 recognizes through theinput/output control circuit 1907 whether a next image is read andinputted by the scanner circuit 1901 (step S2007). For example, in casean automatic document feeder (not shown) is connected to the scannercircuit 1901, transfers a plurality of originals, and reads images onthe plurality of originals, the system control circuit 1912 recognizeswith an output of a document-setting sensor or the like of the automaticdocument feeder whether a next original is present. If the next originalis present, the system control circuit 1912 performs such operationcontrol that the above-described processing at and after the step S2001is repeated. At this time, although a plurality of image data is storedin the storage device 1910, the address management of each image data isperformed by the system control circuit 1912.

Next, the system control circuit 1912 recognizes, for example, a numberof sets that is set through the MMI circuit 1914, and discriminateswhether the printer device 1902 completes the printing of copiescorresponding to the number of sets that is set (step S2008).

Then, if the printer device 1902 does not complete the printing ofcopies corresponding to the number of sets that is set as a result ofthe discrimination at the step S2008, the system control circuit 1912reads the additional information of image data that will be read fromnow on, and judges the contents of the additional information (stepS2014). If the system control circuit 1912 cannot read the additionalinformation corresponding to image data, the system control circuit 1912judges that it has not been judged yet whether the image datacorresponding to the additional information includes a specific image.In addition, if the contents shows that the image data includes thespecific image even if the system control circuit 1912 can read theadditional information, the system control circuit 1912 judges that theimage data includes the specific image. In these cases, the outputoperation of the image data is skipped. Only if the additionalinformation can be read and its contents is that the image data does notinclude the specific image, the flow goes to step S2009, and the imagedata is printed.

In addition, in this embodiment, if it is judged that image dataincludes a specific image, the image data is thrown away after a singlereading. Therefore, so long as a judging circuit correctly operates, thespecific image is never copied even if the additional information is notreferred to. Nevertheless, if copying is performed in such a state thatthe judging circuit is stopped, there is a possibility of copying beingexecuted without judgment of whether the image data includes thespecific image. In such a case, by referring to the additionalinformation, it is possible to prevent copying of an original in such astate that a forgery-preventing function is stopped.

Then, at the step S2009, the system control circuit 1912 instructs theinput/output control circuit 1907 to read image data stored in thestorage device 1910. Owing to this, the input/output control circuit1907 reads one image data out of the image data, stored in the storagedevice 1910, according to the order of storage by controlling readoperation of the storage device 1910, and supplies the image data to thecompressing/expanding circuit 1909 (step S2009). Thecompressing/expanding circuit 1909 expands the image data, read from thestorage device 1910, with a predetermined expanding method (step S2010).

Next, the input/output control circuit 1907 stores the image data,expanded by the compressing/expanding circuit 1909 at the step S2010, inthe buffer memory circuit 1908 (step S2011).

Furthermore, the input/output control circuit 1907 reads the image data,stored in the buffer memory circuit 1908 at the step S2011, and suppliesthe image data to the printer device 1902. Owing to this, the printerdevice 1902 prints out the image data supplied from the input/outputcontrol circuit 1907 (step S2012).

Next, the system control circuit 1912 discriminates through theinput/output control circuit 1907 whether all the image data stored inthe storage device 1910 have been read and printed to the last (stepS2013).

Then, if all the image data have not been printed yet in consequence ofthe discrimination at the step S2013, the system control circuit 1912performs such operation control that the processing at and after thestep S2009 is repeated.

Owing to this, all the image data stored in the storage device 1910 areread in the order of storage and are printed out by the printer device1902.

As described above, when the printing of all the image data stored inthe storage device 1910 is completed, the system control circuit 1912recognizes the completion of the printing in consequence of thediscrimination at the step S2013. Then, the system control circuit 1912returns to the discrimination processing at the step S2008 anddiscriminates again whether printing is completed to the last. Inaddition, if the printing is completed to the last in consequence of thediscrimination at the step S2008, the system control circuit 1912finishes this processing. If not completed yet, the system controlcircuit 1912 performs such operation control that the processing at andafter the step S2009 is repeated.

Therefore, if one set of copies is printed out, image data is read fromthe storage device 1910 in the order of storage and sequentially printedout by the printer device 1902 by the processing at the steps 2009 toS2012 being repeated at a frequency corresponding to the number of imagedata stored in the storage device 1910.

In addition, if plural sets of copies are printed, image data is readfrom the storage device 1910 in the order of storage and sequentiallyprinted out by the printer device 1902 by the processing in theabove-described case of one set of copies being repeated at a frequencycorresponding to the number of sets to be set.

When printing is performed, additional information stored in the storagedevice 1910 is referred to beforehand. Therefore, only if it is judgedthat image data is not equivalent to a specific image in consequence ofjudging whether the image data is not equivalent to a specific image,the image data is printed out. Since the image data judged equivalent tothe specific image is not stored in the storage device 1910, the imagedata is not printed out by the printer device 1902.

Next, the above-described judgment processing (step S2003) performed bythe judging circuit 1911 will be concretely described.

First, an example of using a digital water mark as a specific image usedin this embodiment will be described. For example, image data read bythe scanner circuit 1901 (hereinafter, this is also called an inputimage) is inputted.

The above-described input image that is inputted is divided into blocks,and Fourier transformation is performed every block and frequencycomponents are extracted.

An input image in a frequency range that is obtained as this result isdivided into amplitude spectrum and phase spectrum, and a registrationsignal included in this amplitude spectrum is detected.

A low frequency component signal embedded in an image has such adisadvantage that the low frequency component signal is easilyrecognized as noise due to human's visual performance in comparison tothe embedding of a high frequency component signal. In addition, a highfrequency component embedded in an image has a disadvantage of beingremoved by compressing/expanding operation because an irreversiblecompression method such as JPEG compression has an effect like a lowpass filter. In view of these disadvantages, the registration signal isembedded in a impulse signal at a middle frequency that is equal to orhigher than a first frequency that human can hardly sense and is equalto or lower than a second frequency that cannot be removed by theirreversible compressing/expanding operation.

Registration detection extracts the above-described impulse signal in amiddle frequency range that is included in the amplitude spectrum.

A scaling factor of the input image is calculated from the coordinatesof the impulse signal extracted. The judging circuit 1911 detecting thedigital water mark recognizes beforehand what frequency component of theimage that is an object of judgment and has not been scaled includes theimpulse signal.

It is possible to calculate the scaling factor by comparing thefrequency, recognized beforehand, with the frequency where the impulsesignal is detected. For example, let the frequency, recognizedbeforehand, be a, and let the frequency of the impulse signal be b, andit can be seen that the scaling of a/b is performed. This is awell-known property of the Fourier transformation.

It is possible to detect the digital water mark, included in a digitalimage data, by determining the size of a pattern for detecting thedigital water mark included in the input image from this scaling factorand performing convolution with using this pattern.

In addition, although a digital water mark can be added to any one ofcomponents constituting an input image, in this embodiment, the digitalwater mark is added to a blue component where human's visual sense isthe most insensitive. In this case, the above-described patterndetection is performed for the blue component.

Furthermore, if a digital water mark is not added to a visible colorcomponent constituting an input image but such a digital water mark thatinformation is embedded in a specific frequency component is embedded inthe input image, it is also good enough to detect the digital water markfrom the specific frequency after the Fourier transformation of theinput image.

Moreover, judgment processing (step S2003) different from theabove-described judging circuit 1911 will be described. For example, ifimage data read by the scanner circuit 1901 is color image data, thejudging circuit 1911 transforms the input image and a specific imagerespectively into a common color space, and compares the input imagewith the specific image every pixel in the common color space.

Then, as shown in FIG. 21, the judging circuit 1911, for example,includes judging ROM 2151 where the image data from the input/outputcontrol circuit 1907 (FIG. 19 described above) is supplied, anintegrator 2152 where an output of the judging ROM 2151 is supplied, ajudging circuit 2153 where an output of the integrator 2152 is supplied,and memory 2154 accessed by the judging circuit 2153. An output of thejudging circuit 2153 is supplied to the system control circuit 2112(FIG. 19 described above).

In the above-described judging circuit 1911, the judging ROM 2151supplies data, read as an address input from image data outputted fromthe input/output control circuit 1907, to the integrator 2152. At thistime, a value “1” is assigned to the judging ROM 2151 if color spacedata of the input image is included in the color space data of thespecific image, and if not, a value “0” is assigned respectively. Thesevalues are made to be an input X(i) to the integrator 2152.

The integrator 2152 calculates the following formula with using theinput X(i) from the judging ROM 2151, and supplies an integrated valueY(i) to the judging circuit 2153:Y(i)=AY(i−1)+255(1−A)X(i) i=1, 2, 3, . . . , and 0<A<1

The judging circuit 2153 obtains a number of pixels whose integratedvalues Y(i), which are outputs of the integrator 2152, are equal to orlarger than a predetermined value (a set value A). Owing to this, thenumber of pixels in an area of the input image that is supposed to be anarea of the specific image is calculated.

Here, a reason why the integrated value Y(i) is used is the filtering ofpixels, sporadically included, by integrating the input X(i) since aseries of pixels are included to some extent in case the input image isincluded in the color space data of the specific image.

If the number of pixels calculated as described above is equal to orlarger than a predetermined value (a set value B), the judging circuit2153 recognizes that the input image is an image including the colorspace of the specific image to some extent and there is a highprobability of being the specific image. Furthermore, the judgingcircuit 2153 performs judgment processing of a similarity degree.

Thus, in this case, the judging circuit 2153 makes, for example, anarbitrary color in the color space correspond to an address in thememory 2154. Furthermore, the judging circuit 2153 stores “1” at anaddress, corresponding to a color of a pixel whose integrated value Y(i)that is an output of the integrator 2152 is equal to or larger than theset value A, in the memory 2154. Moreover, the judging circuit 2153performs this for all the pixels of the input image.

In addition, the judging circuit 2153 counts a number of pixels storedas “1” in the memory 2154. If the number of pixels is equal to or largerthan a predetermined value (a set value C), the judging circuit 2153judges that the input image is similar to the specific image, andsupplies a result of the judgment to the system control circuit 1912.

In this manner, it is possible to avoid duplication arising in the casewhere a count of the integrated value Y(i) that is an output of theintegrator 2152 includes a value by plural counting of the same color bythe judging circuit 2153 judging the similarity degree. Furthermore, itis possible to judge whether the input image includes the color space ofthe specific image over a wide range.

In addition, the judgment processing in the judging circuit 1911 is madeto judge whether an input image is a specific image with theconfiguration shown in FIG. 21, but the judgment processing is notlimited to this. Thus, the judgment can be also performed according toother algorithm. In short, in this embodiment, the judgment issufficient so long as it is judged at least whether the input image isthe specific image.

As described above, in the eighth embodiment, additional informationrelating to the judgment of whether image data that is inputted frominput means is equivalent to a specific image is stored with the imagedata in memory means. For example, if plural sets of a plurality oforiginals are copied, it is possible to repeat copying after referringto the additional information. Therefore, it is possible to reduce theload of the judgment processing for forgery prevention. Furthermore,since the judging circuit 1911 is configured lest the input image shouldbe stored in the storage device 1910 if it is judged that the inputimage is the specific image, it is possible to securely prevent forgery.

[Modified Example of Eighth Embodiment]

(1) In addition, in the eighth embodiment, if it has been already judgedwhether an input image includes a specific image and the input imagedoes not include the specific image as a result of the judgment at thestep S2014, the flow goes to the step S2009. If not, the flow goes tothe step S2013 as it is, and a next image is processed. Nevertheless, asshown in FIG. 20B, it is also possible to display an warning to a user.FIG. 20B shows steps with which the step S2014 in FIG. 20A can bereplaced. After the step S2008 in FIG. 20A, it is judged whether it hasbeen already judged whether an input image includes a specific image(step S2021). If not, it is displayed at step S2022 on a display panelor the like, which the MMI circuit 1914 has, that the image is notcopied because the image has not been judged yet.

Even if the judgment has been already performed, if it is judged at stepS2023 that the input image includes the specific image, it is displayedat step S2024 that the input image is not copied because the input imageis the specific image.

With performing such processing, it is possible to give an warning forforgery prevention to an user. In addition, the procedure in FIG. 20Bcan be also applied to the following flow charts in FIGS. 22 to 24.

(2) In addition, in the eighth embodiment, if input image data includesa specific image as a result of the judgment at the step S2003 in thecontrol program in FIG. 20, the input image data is not stored in thestorage device 1910. Nevertheless, for example, as shown in FIG. 25A, inregard to the image judged as the specific image, it is also good enoughto store a corrected image in the storage device 1910 after theprocessing of producing the corrected image from the image data (stepS2504′).

Thus, if it is judged with the judgment processing at the step S2003that the input image data is equivalent to the specific image, thesystem control circuit 1912 instructs the input/output control circuit1907 to add a specific pattern, held beforehand, to the image datastored in the buffer memory circuit 1908, and store the image data withthe specific pattern in the storage device 1910. Owing to this, theinput/output control circuit 1907 reads the image data from the buffermemory circuit 1908, and adds the specific pattern to the image data tosupply the image data with the specific pattern to thecompressing/expanding circuit 1909. The compressing/expanding circuit1909 compresses the image data (corrected image) with the specificpattern from the input/output control circuit 1907 with a predeterminedcompression method (step S2504′) to store the image data with thespecific pattern in the storage device 1910 (step S2005). Therefore, inthis case, in regard to image data judged equivalent to the specificimage among image data printed by the printer device 1910, the imageswith the specific pattern are printed.

In addition, as described above, if image data includes a specificimage, its corrected image is stored in the storage device 1910.Nevertheless, it is also good enough to store the following informationas additional information in the storage device 1910 (step S2006). Thus,the information denotes that it is judged that the image data includesthe specific image as a result of the judgment processing of whether theimage data includes the specific image, and its corrected image isstored in the storage device 1910. Furthermore, also if the image datadoes not include the specific image, it is also good enough to store thefollowing information as additional information in the storage device1910 (step S2006). Thus, the information denotes that it is judged thatthe image data does not include the specific image as a result of thejudgment processing of whether the image data includes the specificimage.

By using this additional information, it is possible to easilyrecognize, for example, whether the input image is intentionallylimited.

(3) Furthermore, in FIG. 25A, if it has been already judged whetherinput image data includes a specific image and the input image data doesnot include the specific image as a result of the judgment at the stepS2014, the flow goes to the step S2009. If not, the flow goes to thestep S2013 as it is to perform the processing of a next image.Nevertheless, as shown in FIG. 25B, it is also possible to give anwarning to an user. The procedure in FIG. 25B can be also substitutedfor the step S2014 in FIG. 25A. After the step S2008 in FIG. 25A, it isjudged whether it has been already judged whether input image dataincludes a specific image (step S2531). If not, it is displayed at stepS2532 on a display panel or the like, which the MMI circuit 1914 has,that the image is not copied because the image has not been judged yet.

Even if it has been already judged whether the input image data includesthe specific image, if it is judged at step S2533 that the input imagedata includes the specific image, that is, that a corrected image isprinted, it is displayed at step S2524 that the input image is correctedbecause the input image is the specific image.

With performing such processing, it is possible not only to give anwarning for forgery prevention to an user, but also to inform the userof a fact that the image outputted is not a copy of the original. Inaddition, the procedure in FIG. 25B can be also applied to the followingflow charts in FIGS. 22, 24, and 26.

(4) In addition, although input images stored in the storage device 1910is read in the order of storage in this embodiment, this processing isnot limited to this, but it is also good enough to read the input imagesin the order different from the order of storage. Owing to this, it isalso possible to correspond to a case that it is necessary to performprinting of front and back sides of paper with changing the order ofprinting, for example, like a case that pamphlets are created bysaddle-stitching sheets of paper printed out from the printer device1902.

(5) Furthermore, it is also good enough to create additional informationfor all the input images and to add to all the images the information ofwhether the judgment of specific images has been already performed. Inthis case, it is possible to judge with the information included in theadditional information instead of the presence of the additionalinformation whether the judgment has been already performed.

Ninth Embodiment

Next, a ninth embodiment will be described.

In the above-described eighth embodiment, if an input image is aspecific image, the input image is not stored in the storage device1910, or the input image is stored after correction processing. Here,all the input images are once stored in the storage device 1910, and theimages, which are judged as the specific image, among stored images aredeleted from the storage device 1910.

For the sake of this, the control program shown in FIGS. 20A and 20B isreplaced with a control program following a flow chart shown in FIG. 22.This control program shown in FIG. 22 is also stored in the ROM 1913beforehand, and is read and executed by the system control circuit 1912.

In addition, in the control program shown in FIG. 22, the same referencenumerals are assigned to the steps processed similarly to those in thecontrol program shown in FIGS. 20A and 20B, and the detailed descriptionof them will be omitted. Furthermore, since an apparatus operating bythe above-described control program shown in FIG. 22 being executed hasthe same configuration as the above-described image input/outputprocessing apparatus 1900, its detailed description will be omitted.

Only the points different from the eighth embodiment will be concretelydescribed.

First, the system control circuit 1912 reads and executes the controlprogram that is stored in the ROM 1913 and is shown in FIG. 22. Then,the system control circuit 1912 issues an image read instruction to thescanner circuit 1901 through the input/output control circuit 1907.Owing to this, image data is read (step S2001), and stored in the buffermemory circuit 1908 under the control of the input/output controlcircuit 1907 (step S2002).

Next, the system control circuit 1912 instructs the input/output controlcircuit 1907 to store the image data, stored at the step S2002 in thebuffer memory circuit 1908, in the storage device 1910. Owing to this,the input/output control circuit 1907 reads the image data from thebuffer memory circuit 1908, and supplies the image data to thecompressing/expanding circuit 1909. The compressing/expanding circuit1909 compresses the image data, supplied from the input/output controlcircuit 1907, with a predetermined compression method (step S2004), andstores the image data in the storage device 1910 (step S2005).

Next, the system control circuit 1912 recognizes through theinput/output control circuit 1907 whether a next image is read andinputted by the scanner circuit 1901 (step S2006). If there is a nextoriginal, the system control circuit 1912 performs such operationcontrol that the processing at and after the step S2001 is repeated.

As described above, after all the image data read by the scanner circuit1901 is stored in the storage device 1910, the system control circuit1912 instructs the input/output control circuit 1907 to read the imagedata stored in the storage device 1910, and supply the image data to thejudging circuit 1911. Owing to this by controlling the read outoperation of the storage device 1910, the input/output control circuit1907 supplies one set of image data among image data stored in thestorage device 1910 according to the order of storage to thecompressing/expanding circuit 1909. The compressing/expanding circuit1909 expands the image data from the storage device 1910 with apredetermined expansion method. The image data expanded by thecompressing/expanding circuit 1909 is supplied to the judging circuit1911 under the control of the input/output control circuit 1907. Thejudging circuit 1911 judges whether the image data includes a specificimage by judging whether the image data includes specific digital watermark information inserted beforehand. Alternatively, the judging circuit1911 judges according to a similarity degree whether the image dataincludes a specific image by extracting characteristics of the imagedata supplied and comparing the characteristic data with characteristicdata of specific images held beforehand (step S2003). This result ofjudgment in the judging circuit 1911 is supplied to the system controlcircuit 1912.

The system control circuit 1912 instructs the input/output controlcircuit 1907 to delete the image data from the storage device 1910 onlyif the image data includes the specific image according to the result ofjudgment in the judging circuit 1911 owing to this, the input/outputcontrol circuit 1907 deletes the image data from the storage device 1910(step S2201).

In addition, as described above, if the image data includes the specificimage, the image data is deleted from the storage device 1910.Nevertheless, it is also good enough to store information as additionalinformation in the storage device 1910, the information denoting that itis judged that the image data includes the specific image as a result ofjudgment of whether the image data includes the specific image and isdeleted from the storage device 1910 (step S2202). In addition, also ifthe image data does not include the specific image, it is also goodenough to store information as additional information in the storagedevice 1910, the information denoting that it is judged that the imagedata does not include the specific image as a result of judgment ofwhether the image data includes the specific image (step S2202).

By using this additional information, it is possible to easilyrecognize, for example, whether the input image is intentionallylimited.

The above-described judgment processing at the step S2003 and deletionprocessing at the step S2201 are performed for all the image data storedin the storage device 1910.

Therefore, the storage device 1910 stores only the image data that doesnot include the specific images.

After that, by each processing at steps S2007 to S2013 being executed,the image data stored in the storage device 1910 is read and printed outby the printer device 1902.

In addition, when printing is performed, additional information storedin the storage device 1910 is referred to beforehand. Therefore, only ifit is judged that image data is not equivalent to a specific image inconsequence of judging whether the image data is equivalent to aspecific image, the image data is printed out. Since the image datajudged equivalent to the specific image is deleted from the storagedevice 1910, the image data is not printed out by the printer device1902.

Therefore, as described above, in the ninth embodiment, additionalinformation relating to the judgment of whether image data that isinputted from input means is equivalent to a specific image is storedwith the image data in memory means. For example, if plural sets of aplurality of originals are copied, it is possible to repeat copyingafter referring to the additional information. Therefore, it is possibleto reduce the load of the judgment processing for forgery prevention.Furthermore, since the judging circuit 1911 is configured so that theinput image is deleted from the storage device 1910 if it is judged thatthe input image is the specific image, it is possible to securelyprevent forgery.

In addition, in the above-described ninth embodiment, although images,judged as specific images, among images stored in the storage device1910 are deleted, this processing is not limited to this. Thus, it isgood enough to correct the images judged as specific images, and tostore the images in the storage device 1910 again. Therefore, the imagescorrected are printed out in regard to the images, judged as thespecific images, among the images printed out from the printer device1902. Owing to this, it is possible to securely prevent the forgery.

Tenth Embodiment

In the above-described eighth and ninth embodiments, image data read bythe scanner circuit 1901 is printed out by the printer device 1902.Nevertheless, here, PDL data transferred from the host 1906 is developedand printed out by the printer device 1902 (communicating function).

For the sake of this, for example, the control program shown in FIGS.20A and 20B is replaced with a control program following a flow chartshown in FIG. 23. This control program shown in FIG. 23 is also storedin the ROM 1913 beforehand, and is read and executed by the systemcontrol circuit 1912.

In addition, in the control program shown in FIG. 23, the same referencenumerals are assigned to the steps processed similarly to those in thecontrol program shown in FIGS. 20A and 20B, and the detailed descriptionof them will be omitted. Furthermore, since an apparatus operating bythe above-described control program shown in FIG. 23 being executed hasthe same configuration as the above-described image input/outputprocessing apparatus 1900 shown in FIG. 19, its detailed descriptionwill be omitted.

Hereinafter, only the points different from the eighth embodiment willbe concretely described.

First, the system control circuit 1912 reads and executes the controlprogram that is stored in the ROM 1913 and is shown in FIG. 23. Imagedata created in the host 1906 is transferred to the PDL circuit 1904through the interface control circuit 1905 under the control of a commonprotocol such as SCSI (small Computer System Interface) or TCP(Transmission Control Protocol)/IP (Internet Protocol). The systemcontrol circuit 1912 issues a PDL development instruction to the PDLcircuit 1904 through the input/output control circuit 1907. Owing tothis, the PDL circuit 1904 develops the image data (PDL data: datadescribed in PDL), transferred from the host 1906, into bit map (stepS2301).

The image data (developed image), developed into the bit map by the PDLcircuit 1904 at the step S2301, is stored in the buffer memory circuit1908 under the control of the input/output control circuit 1907 (stepS2302).

In addition, the image data is also supplied to the judging circuit 1911under the control of the input/output control circuit 1907. The judgingcircuit 1911, as described above, judges whether the image data includesa specific image by judging whether the image data includes specificdigital water mark information inserted beforehand. Alternatively, thejudging circuit 1911 judges according to a similarity degree whether theimage data includes a specific image by extracting characteristics ofthe image data supplied by the input/output control circuit 1907, andcomparing the characteristic data with characteristic data of specificimages held beforehand (step S2303). This result of judgment in thejudging circuit 1911 is supplied to the system control circuit 1912.

The system control circuit 1912 instructs the input/output controlcircuit 1907 to store the image data, stored at the step S2303 in thebuffer memory circuit 1908, in the storage device 1910 if the image datadoes not include the specific image according to the result of judgmentin the judging circuit 1911. Owing to this, the input/output controlcircuit 1907 reads the image data from the buffer memory circuit 1908and supplies the image data to the compressing/expanding circuit 1909.The compressing/expanding circuit 1909 compresses the image data,supplied from the input/output control circuit 1907, with apredetermined compression method (step S2304), and stores the image datain the storage device 1910 (step S2305).

In addition, if the image data includes the specific image according tothe result of judgment by the judging circuit 1911, the system controlcircuit 1912 instructs the input/output control circuit 1907 not toperform each processing at the steps 2304 and 2305. Owing to this, inthis case, the image data stored in the buffer memory circuit 1908 isnot stored in the storage device 1910.

In addition, as described above, if the image data includes the specificimage, it is limited to store the image data in the storage device 1910.Nevertheless, it is also good enough to store information as additionalinformation in the storage device 1910, the information denoting that itis judged that the image data includes the specific image as a result ofjudgment of whether the image data includes the specific image and isnot stored in the storage device 1910 (step S2306). In addition, also ifthe image data does not include the specific image, it is also goodenough to store information as additional information in the storagedevice 1910, the information denoting that it is judged that the imagedata does not include the specific image as a result of judgment ofwhether the image data includes the specific image (step S2306).

By using this additional information, for example, it is possible toeasily recognize whether an input image is intentionally limited.

After the above-described judgment processing at the step S2303 and theprocessing according to a result of the judgment is performed, next, thesystem control circuit 1912 recognizes through the input/output controlcircuit 1907 whether next image data is transferred from the host 1906to the PDL circuit 1904 (step S2307). If the next image data istransferred, the system control circuit 1912 performs such operationcontrol that the processing at and after the step S2301 is repeated. Atthis time, a plurality of image data is stored in the storage device1910, and an address of each image data is managed by the system controlcircuit 1912.

As described above, the image data transferred from the host 1906 isstored in the storage device 1910, and the image data judged as thespecific image is not stored in the storage device 1910. Thus, only theimage data, which does not include the specific image, among image datatransferred from the host 1906 is stored in the storage device 1910.

After that, by executing each processing at the steps S2008 to S2013,image data stored in the storage device 1910 is read and printed out bythe printer device 1902.

In addition, when printing is performed, additional information storedin the storage device 1910 is referred to beforehand. Therefore, only ifit is judged that image data is not equivalent to a specific image inconsequence of judging whether the image data is equivalent to thespecific image, the image data is printed out. Since the image datajudged equivalent to the specific image is not stored in the storagedevice 1910, the image data is not printed out by the printer device1902.

Therefore, as described above, in the tenth embodiment, additionalinformation relating to the judgment of whether image data (PDL data)that is transferred from the host 1906 is equivalent to a specific imageis stored with the image data in memory means. For example, if pluralsets of a plurality of originals are copied, it is possible to repeatcopying after referring to the additional information. Therefore, it ispossible to reduce the load of the judgment processing for forgeryprevention. Furthermore, since the judging circuit 1911 is configured sothat the input image is not stored in the storage device 1910 if it isjudged that the input image is the specific image, it is possible tosecurely prevent forgery.

(Modified Example of Tenth Embodiment)

In addition, in the above-described tenth embodiment, in the controlprogram shown in FIG. 23, if image data transferred from the host 1906is equivalent to a specific image due to the discrimination processingin step S2303, the image data is not stored in the storage device 1910.Nevertheless, similarly to the eighth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 26,as for the image judged as a specific image it is good enough to performthe processing of producing a corrected image from the image data, andto store the corrected image in the storage device 1910 (step S2604′).

Furthermore, for example, similarly to the ninth embodiment, as shown inFIG. 24, it is good enough to once store image data transferred from thehost 1906 in the storage device 1910, to delete or correct image data,judged equivalent to the specific images, among image data stored (stepS2401), and to store additional information in the storage device 1910(step S2402).

Moreover, in the above-described tenth embodiment, image datatransferred from the host 1906 is printed out by the printer device1902. Nevertheless, this processing is not limited this, but, forexample, it is good enough to print out image data (facsimile imagedata), received by a facsimile circuit 1903, by the printer device 1902(facsimile function). In this case, with replacing image data, developedinto bit map by the PDL circuit 1904, with facsimile image data receivedby the facsimile circuit 1903, the above-described operation isperformed.

In addition, in the above-described tenth embodiment, the judgmentprocessing of specific images is performed for all the image data (PDLdata) transferred from the host 1906. Nevertheless, if the judgmentprocessing of specific images has been already performed in the host1906, it is possible to reduce the load of judgment processing byperforming the following judgment processing. Thus, contents of theprocessing is to perform the judgment processing at the step S2303 foronly the image data, which has not been judged yet, through transmittingthe additional information, relating to the judgment of whether theimage data is equivalent to the specific image, with the image data.

Furthermore, if the judgment processing of specific images is performedin the host 1906, additional information stored in the storage device1910 is created from the additional information transferred from thehost 1906.

Eleventh Embodiment

Next, an eleventh embodiment will be described.

An image input/output method according to the eleventh embodiment isimplemented by, for example, a color copying machine 2700 as shown inFIG. 27.

As shown in FIG. 27, this color copying machine 2700 includes: anoriginal table glass 2701 where an original 2702 to be read is set; anillumination 2703 provided to illuminate the original 2702 set on theoriginal table glass 2701; an optical system 2707; mirrors 2704 to 2706guiding light from the original 2702 to the optical system 2707; animaging device 2708 where the light from the optical system 2707 isimaged; a motor 2709 driving a first mirror unit 2710 including themirror 2704 and illumination 2703, and a second mirror unit 2711including the mirrors 2705 and 2706, respectively; an image processingcircuit 2712 where an output of the imaging device 2708 is supplied;semiconductor lasers 2713 to 2716 where an output of the imageprocessing circuit 2712 is supplied; polygon mirrors 2717 to 2720 whererespective outputs of the semiconductor lasers 2713 to 2716 are suppliedwith corresponding to one another; photoconductive drums 2725 to 2728where respective outputs of the polygon mirrors 2717 to 2720 aresupplied with corresponding to one another; developers 2721 to 2724supplying toner on the photoconductive drums 2725 to 2728; papercassettes 2729 to 2731; a manual insertion tray 2732; a transfer belt2734; a resist roller 2733 guiding paper, delivered from the papercassettes 2729 to 2731 or manual insertion tray 2732, on the transferbelt 2734; a fixer 2735 fixing the toner, transferred by thephotoconductive drums 2725 to 2728, on paper on the transfer belt 2734;and a paper output tray 2736 to output paper toner fixed by a fixer2735.

The above-described color copying machine 2700 has functions of theabove-described image input/output processing apparatus 1900 (FIG. 19).The original table glass 2701, illumination 2703, optical system 2707,imaging device 2708, first mirror unit 2710, second mirror unit 2711,motor 2709, or the like constitute an image reading unit, and correspondto a scanner circuit 1901 in FIG. 19. In addition, the image processingcircuit 2712 is a part of outputting an image signal for printing, andcorresponds to the input/output control circuit 1907 in FIG. 19, storagedevice 1910, buffer memory circuit 1908, compressing/expanding circuit1909, judging circuit 1911, system control circuit 1912, or the like.Furthermore, semiconductor lasers 2713 to 2716, polygon mirrors 2717 to2720, photoconductive drums 2725 to 2728, paper cassettes 2729 to 2731,manual insertion tray 2732, transfer belt 2734, resist roller 2733,fixer 2735, and paper output tray 2736 are a part of printing out animage, and corresponds to the printer device 1902 in FIG. 19.

Then, first, the original 2702 to be read is set on the original tableglass 2701. This original 2702 is illuminated by the illumination 2703,and light reflected from the original 2702 is imaged on the imagingdevice 2708 by the optical system 2707 through the mirrors 2704 to 2706sequentially.

At this time, the motor 2709 not only mechanically drives the firstmirror unit 2710, including the mirror 2704 and illumination 2703, atthe speed of V, but also mechanically drives the second mirror unit2711, including the mirrors 2705 and 2706, at the speed of V/2. Owing tothis, the entire surface of the original 2702 is scanned.

The imaging device 2708 includes a solid imaging device (CCD: ChargeCoupled Device), and converts an image, formed by the optical system2707, into an electric image signal by photoelectric conversion tosupply the electric image signal to the image processing circuit 2712.

The image processing circuit 2712 performs predetermined processing ofthe image signal from the imaging device 2708 to output the image signalas a print signal. As described above, the image processing circuit 2712performs processing according to a result of judgment of whether theoriginal 2702 includes a specific image. Owing to this, if the original2702 includes the specific image, the print signal is not outputted, ora print signal after correction processing is outputted.

The semiconductor lasers 2713 to 2716 are driven by the print signaloutputted from the image processing circuit 2712. Laser beams emitted byrespective semiconductor lasers 2713 to 2716 forms latent images on thephotoconductive drums 2725 to 2728 by the polygon mirrors 2717 to 2720.

The developers 2721 to 2724 develop the latent images formed with K, Y,C, and M toner particles on the photoconductive drums 2725 to 2728respectively.

At this time, paper supplied from any one of the paper cassettes 2729 to2731 and manual insertion tray 2732 is adsorbed on the transfer belt2734 through the resist roller 2733, and is delivered.

With synchronizing with the timing of paper supply at this time,respective color toner particles are developed on the photoconductivedrums 2725 to 2728, and hence respective color toner particles aretransferred on the paper with the delivery of the paper.

The paper where respective color toner particles are transferred isseparately delivered from the transfer belt 2734, the color tonerparticles are fixed by the fixer 2735, and the paper is outputted to thepaper output tray 2736.

As described above, by applying the processing in the eighth to tenthembodiments to the color copying machine 2700, additional informationrelating to the judgment of whether the original 2702 includes aspecific image is stored with the image data in memory means. Forexample, if plural sets of a plurality of originals are copied, it ispossible to repeat copying after referring to the additionalinformation. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the load of thejudgment processing for forgery prevention. Furthermore, the judgingcircuit 1911 is configured so that image data is not stored in thestorage device 1910 or image data after correction processing is storedif it is judged that the original 2702 includes the specific image.Therefore, the image data is not printed or an image after correctionprocessing is printed. Hence it is possible to securely prevent forgery.In addition, it is possible to provide a color copying machine 2700having good performance.

Twelfth Embodiment

Next, a twelfth embodiment will be described.

The eighth to tenth embodiments are implemented by such an informationprocessing apparatus 2800 that is shown in FIG. 28.

As shown in FIG. 28, this information processing apparatus 2800 isconfigured by connecting a CPU 2801, ROM 2802, RAM 2803, an imagescanner 2807, a storage device 2808, a disk drive 2809, VRAM 2810, adisplay 2811, a keyboard 2812, a pointing device 2813, a printer 2814,and an interface circuit 2815 via a bus 2816 so as to transfer data withone another.

The above-described information processing apparatus 2800 has functionsof the image input/output processing apparatus 1900 (FIG. 19), andfirst, the CPU 2801 performs the operation control of the entireinformation processing apparatus 2800. This CPU 2801 corresponds to theinput/output control circuit 1907, judging circuit 1911, system controlcircuit 1912, or the like in FIG. 19.

The ROM 2802 stores a boot program, a BIOS (Basic Input/Output System),or the like beforehand. In addition, the RAM 2803 is used as a work areaof the CPU 2801, and develops or secures a control program 2804corresponding to a series of procedure, a buffer area 2805 used forimage acquisition and at the time of printing, and an operating system2806 for performing the operation control of the entire informationprocessing apparatus 2800 with starting with the control program 2804.Then, by the CPU 2801 executing the control program 2804, developed inthe RAM 2803, such as control programs shown in FIGS. 20A, 20B, 22, 23,24, 25A, 25B, and 26, the entire operation control of the informationprocessing apparatus 2800 is performed.

The image scanner 2807 corresponds to the scanner circuit 1901 in FIG.19, and reads an image.

The storage device 2808 is a large capacity of storage device such as ahard disk apparatus or a magnet-optical disk apparatus, and correspondsto the storage device 1910 in FIG. 19. This storage device 2808 alsostores the OS 2806 or the like, which are described above, beforehand.

The disk drive 2809 reads data from a portable recording medium such asa floppy disk. Any one of a floppy disk, set in this disk drive 2809, orthe storage device 2808 stores the above-described control program 2804beforehand. The CPU 2801 reads the control program 2804 and develops itin the RAM 2803.

The VRAM 2810 is used for developing a bit map image displayed on ascreen. The display 2811 displays the bit map image developed in thisVRAM 2810.

The keyboard 2812 is used for inputting various types of information.The pointing device 2813 is used for pointing a desired position on adisplay screen of the display 2811 and selecting a desired menu fromamong various types of menus on a menu screen. Also, according to eachinput from these keyboard 2812 and pointing device 2813, the CPU 2801performs the operation control of the entire information processingapparatus 2800.

The printer 2814 corresponds to the printer device 1902 in FIG. 19, andprints out an image or the like that are read by the image scanner 2807.

The interface circuit 2815 corresponds to the interface circuit 1905 inFIG. 19, and connects devices in a network 40 to another host 1906. Forexample, PDL data transferred from the other host 1906 can be developedinto bit map with software processing by the CPU 2801.

As described above, by applying the processing in the eighth to tenthembodiments to a general-purpose information processing apparatus 2800,additional information relating to the judgment of whether the original2702 includes a specific image is stored with the image data in memorymeans when, for example, an image read by the image scanner 2807 or animage transferred through the interface circuit 2815 is printed out bythe printer 2814. For example, if plural sets of a plurality oforiginals are copied, it is possible to repeat copying after referringto the additional information. Furthermore, the information processingapparatus is configured so that image data is not stored in the storagedevice or image data after correction processing is stored if it isjudged that the image is the specific image. Therefore, it is possibleto reduce the load of the judgment processing for forgery prevention.Furthermore, the information processing apparatus is configured so thatimage data is not stored in the storage device 1910 or image data aftercorrection processing is stored if it is judged that the original 2702includes the specific image. Therefore, the image data is not printed oran image after correction processing is printed. Hence it is possible tosecurely prevent forgery. In addition, it is possible to provide aninformation processing apparatus 2800 having good performance.

In addition, the processing in the above-described first to tenthembodiments can be applied not only to a data processing method in anapparatus composed of single equipment, but also to a system composed ofa plurality of equipment.

Furthermore, the processing in the above-described first to tenthembodiments can be also implemented by supplying a storage medium,storing the program code of the procedure for implementing functions ofa host 1906 and a terminal of each embodiment described above, to asystem or an apparatus, and by the system or a computer (or CPU, or MPU)of the apparatus reading and executing the program code stored in thestorage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage mediumimplements the functions of each embodiment described above, and thestorage medium storing the program code constitutes the presentinvention.

It is possible to use ROM, a floppy disk, a hard disk, an optical disk,a magnet-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatilememory card, or the like as a storage medium for supplying program code.

In addition, the present invention includes not only a case thatfunctions of each embodiment described above are implemented by acomputer executing the program code that the computer reads, but also acase that the functions of each embodiment are implemented by suchprocessing that an OS or the like operating on the computer performspart or all of actual processing.

Furthermore, the present invention also includes a case that, after theprogram code read from a storage medium is written in memory provided ina feature expansion board inserted into a computer or a featureexpansion unit connected to the computer, a CPU or the like that isprovided in the feature expansion board or feature expansion unitperforms part or all of actual processing, and functions of eachembodiment described above are implemented.

As described above, it becomes unnecessary to perform the judgment of aspecific image each time image data is outputted by judging whetherinput image data includes the specific image such as a bank note andstoring a fact that judgment has been already performed and its resultas additional information of the image data. Owing to this, it ispossible to reduce the load of judgment processing of whether the imagedata includes the specific image, and to rapidly perform the processing.

In particular, in case one image is repeatedly copied, it becomesunnecessary to perform the judgment each time the image is printed, andhence rapid copying can be performed.

In addition, by not outputting image data that has not been judged toinclude additional information, it is possible to more securely preventthe forgery of an original including a specific image such as a banknote or a security.

Furthermore, by not outputting image data if additional informationincludes the information denoting that the image data corresponding tothe additional information includes a specific image, it is possible toprevent the forgery of an original including the specific image withoutperforming the judgment of the specific image on all such occasions.

Moreover, by informing a user of additional information if theadditional information includes the information denoting that the imagedata corresponding to the additional information includes a specificimage, it is possible to give an warning to the user.

In addition, by modifying an image judged to include a specific imageand including the information, denoting the fact, in additionalinformation, it is possible to securely prevent the forgery of anoriginal including the specific image.

Furthermore, if the additional information includes the informationdenoting that the image data corresponding to the additional informationis modified, by informing a user of that fact, it is possible to give anwarning to the user.

1. An image processing system that has a first apparatus inputting animage signal, and a second apparatus outputting an image by using theimage signal, wherein said first apparatus comprises: first judgingmeans for comparing the image signal, read by said first apparatus, withdata corresponding to a first specific image; and adding means foradding to the image signal compared by said first judging meansinformation showing that the comparison has been performed using thefirst specific image, and wherein said second apparatus has secondjudging means for, based on the information added by said adding means,comparing the image signal with data corresponding to a second specificimage if the second specific image is different from the first specificimage used for the comparison by said first judging means, wherein saidsecond judging means omits a comparison with the data corresponding tothe second specific image if the second specific image is identical tothe first specific image.
 2. The image processing system according toclaim 1, wherein the data corresponding to the first or second specificimage is pattern data.
 3. The image processing system according to claim1, wherein the data corresponding to the first or second specific imageis digital water mark data.
 4. The image processing system according toclaim 1, wherein said first apparatus is a scanner, and said secondapparatus is a printer.
 5. An image processing method in an imageprocessing system that has a first apparatus inputting an image signal,and a second apparatus outputting an image by using the image signal,said method comprising: a first judging step of performing, in the firstapparatus, a first judgment of comparing the image signal, read by thefirst apparatus, with data corresponding to a first specific image; anadding step of adding, in the first apparatus, to the image signal forwhich the first judgment has been performed, information showing thatthe first judgment has been performed using the first specific image;and a second judging step of performing in the second apparatus, basedon the information added in said adding step, a second judgment ofcomparing the image signal with data corresponding to a second specificimage if the second specific image is different from the first specificimage used for the first judgment performed in said first judging step,wherein said second judging step omits a comparison with the datacorresponding to the second specific image if the second specific imageis identical to the first specific image.
 6. The image processing methodaccording to claim 5, wherein the data corresponding to the first orsecond specific image is pattern data.
 7. The image processing methodaccording to claim 5, wherein the data corresponding to the first orsecond specific image is digital water mark data.
 8. The imageprocessing method according to claim 5, wherein the first apparatus is ascanner, and the second apparatus is a printer.
 9. The image processingmethod according to claim 5, wherein the data corresponding to the firstor second specific image is downloaded from a computer.
 10. The imageprocessing system according to claim 1, wherein said second judgingmeans compares the image signal with data corresponding to a secondspecific image which can be used for the comparison, if the informationadded by said adding means shows that no comparison has been performedby said first judging means.
 11. The image processing system accordingto claim 1, wherein said first judging means performs the comparisonwith a scanner driver, and said second judging means performs thecomparison with a printer driver.
 12. The image processing systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the first or second specific image is asecurity, and at least one of color, a pattern, and a digital water markis used for the judgment.
 13. The image processing system according toclaim 1, wherein the information is protected.
 14. The image processingmethod according to claim 5, wherein said second judging step performsthe second judgment with a second specific image which can be used forthe second judgment, if the information added in said adding step showsthat no first judgment has been performed in said first judging step.15. The image processing method according to claim 5, wherein said firstjudging step performs the first judgment with a scanner driver, and saidsecond judging step performs the second judgment with a printer driver.16. The image processing method according to claim 5, wherein the firstor second specific image is a security, and at least one of color, apattern, and a digital water mark is used for the judgment.
 17. Theimage processing method according to claim 5, wherein the information isprotected.